Prostate Artery Embolization

Proud partner of the PAE pioneers

PAE pioneers

By improving treatment, enabling new methods and streamlining processes, Siemens Healthineers innovations help to advance medical progress. To enhance benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) therapy, we teamed up with the pioneers in Interventional Radiology and paved the way for groundbreaking alternative treatment:

Prostate artery embolization (PAE). Minimally invasive and highly effective, this procedure could change the way prostate hyperplasia is treated in the future. For even better patient outcomes, our cutting-edge imaging helps make PAE as safe and accurate as it can possibly be.2

Clinical Evidence

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is one of the most common diseases in men over 50 years of age. As an age-related noncancerous neoplasm, it can cause severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) which can limit the patient’s quality of life. Increased life expectancy has contributed to a rise in incidence of BPH. More than 50% of men aged 60–69 years and as many as 90% aged 70–89 have symptoms of BPH. In 2000, there were 4.5 million visits to physicians for BPH in the United States, with a direct cost of $1.1 billion.3

Prostate artery embolization is a new, minimally invasive procedure to treat BPH that can, under certain conditions, be performed on an outpatient basis. PAE can shrink the prostate by blocking the blood supply with microspheres delivered through a catheter, using X-ray images for guidance. A recent study of 1000 patients in a single cohort center showed that PAE is an effective and safe procedure to treat symptomatic BPH (moderate to severe LUTS) with good results in the short, medium and long term.4

In June 2017, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. received 513(f)(2) (de novo) classification from the FDA to expand the indication for its Embosphere® Microspheres to include PAE for symptomatic BPH. The number of PAE procedures performed in the United States is expected to grow rapidly, at a rate of 88% per year.5

Since the very early clinical trials in 2011, Siemens Healthineers has been working with PAE pioneers around the globe to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of the procedure – and to make PAE a success story. We now offer the most extensive system portfolio designed to support the specific needs of IR teams performing PAE. Excellent image quality and low dose imaging options in 2D and 3D, plus a broad range of dedicated, innovative applications provide optimal support at every step of the procedure - from planning and guidance, to minimizing the risk of non-targeted embolization, to in-room assessment of complete treatment.

Related Products, Services & Resources

1The statements by Siemens’ customers described herein are based on results that were achieved in the customer’s unique setting. Since there is no “typical” hospital and many variables exist (e.g., hospital size, case mix, level of IT adoption) there can be no guarantee that other customers will achieve the same results.

2Siemens Healthineers extends their appreciation to the interventional radiologists, who donated their time and energy – without payment – in order to share their expertise in PAE.